Apparatus for continuous treatment of webs with hot liquids

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the continuous treatment of webs of textile materials or similar materials in hot liquids, wherein the web and the liquid travel at equal speeds during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and wherein the ratio by weight of liquid to the web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, the main features being the introduction of the web into the treatment liquid in irregular, preferably crimped shape, and not in pleated shape, through a port of larger width than the width of the treatment path and at a higher speed than the one at which web and treatment liquid travel during the treatment proper, thereby causing a banking up of the liquid and the web therein, to a thicker sheet, and further subjecting the surface of the web in all its parts to convective or turbulent currents effected in the treatment liquid to bring about a change of shape in said surface parts of the web.

United States Patent Meier-Windhorst APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENTOF WEBS WITH I-IOT LIQUIDS Inventor: Christian August Meier-Windhorst,

2101 Lindhorst, uber Hamburg-Harburg, Germany Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 Appl.No.: 415,265

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 313,362, Dec. 8,1972, Pat. No. 3,849,068.

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 8, 1971 Germany 2160799 U.S. C1.68/15; 68/181 R Int. Cl. B05c 3/172; B05c 3/176 Field of Search 68/43,53, 175, 177, 181 R,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1953 Pendleton et a1, 68/181 RX 9/1954 Secrist 68/184 X 7/1955 Keggin 68/181 R X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 59,773 2/1954 France 68/43 Primary Examinerl-1arvey C.Hornsby Assistant ExaminerPhilip R. Coe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-AllisonC. Col1ard 5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for the continuous treatment of websof textile materials or similar materials in hot liquids, wherein theweb and the liquid travel at equal speeds during the treatment with theweb floating in the liquid, and wherein the ratio by weight of liquid tothe web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, the main features being theintroduction of the web into the treatment liquid in irregular,preferably crimped shape, and not in pleated shape, through a port oflarger width than the width of the treatment path and at a higher speedthan the one'at which web and treatment liquid travel during thetreatment proper, thereby causing a banking up of the liquid and the webtherein, to a thicker sheet, and further subjecting the surface of theweb in all its parts to convective 0r turbulent currents effected in thetreatment liquid to bring about a change of shape in said surface partsof the web.

a 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUGZGIQTS SHEET 1 OF 2 APPARATUSFOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF WEBS WITH HOT LIQUIDS This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 313,362 filed Dec. 8, 1972, and now Pat. No.3,849,068.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the continuous treatmentof textile webs or webs of similar materials with hot liquids,preferably on a path of wide dimensions, wherein the liquid and the webunder treatment move at equal speeds, The ratio of the liquid and theweb under treatment is from about l:l to 50:1 by weight, and the web isfloating in the liquid.

The treatment of the web concerns mostlya cleaning treatment, withchemicals effecting an improvement or refinement of the web material,treatment with dyestuffs and the like. For example, cleaning may takeplace in aqueous cleansing liquids, liquids forde-sizing, boiling and/orbleaching, dyeing, after-treatment after dyeing or printing, or for thefinishing of textiles. The process is especially applicable fortreatments where due to the long action, a considerable depletion of theeffective agent from the liquid is likely to take place, or thetreatment liquid becomes exhausted. Other applications relate to liquidtreatments in which the time of treatment is shortened by the use ofelevated temperatures and/or increased currents, for example, turbulencein the liquid acting on the web and the like.

The apparatus is further applicable for a treatment with a warm liquidas such, e.g. for development of the structure (bulk development) oftextile webs, such as texturized fibers or yarns, or for liquidtreatment in solvents, such as hydrocarbons, for the removal of spinningoils, sizings and the like, or a combination of treatment with l liquidsas mentioned above. One preferred application is for light-weight tomedium-heavy weight textile structures, e.g. about 50 to 300 g/m whereintreatment liquid and web to be treated, after introduction into thetreatment also move at equal speeds, which are, however, reduced incomparison to the initial speed of the web.

A device has already been proposed for the use of the new continuoustreatment of webs in hot liquids for improving textiles of specificweight of 100 250 g/m such as normal fabrics and knitted goods, in pathsof wide dimensions for the webs in the treatment liquid wherein the webswere to be arranged in orderly pleats or loops. It was already foundthat for this type of conducting, the web in the treatment liquid shouldbe limited to cases, in which the treatment liquid was applied to thetextile in a first impregnating stage where the textile was conductedover a wide path in a smooth manner. Extensive studies have confirmedthe fact that with such a web arranged in substantiallyorderly manner,folded or pleated, it is mainly after-treatments with hot' liquids whichcan be carried out.;

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus forbringing about an even effect of the treat ment over the entire area ofthe web, in spite of the fact that an orderly arrangement of the web wasabandoned. The even effect is also achieved when treatments are applied,such as the continuous dyeing of textile webs, where the highestrequirements such as uniform treatment action, dyestuff transfer, anddyestuff incorporation beginning from the first contact of quired.

It is another object of the invention to introduce the web to be treatedinto a liquid sheet which is banked up by a strongly reduced speed ofmovement compared to the speed of introduction. One fifth of theoriginal speed or even less is common in these cases.

Considerable advantages are obtained by combining a continuous travel ofthe web and treatment liquid, and by accurately controling the effectsof the treatment agents by and through the hot treatment liquids. Toobtain a complete uniform dyeing of continuously travelling piece goods,two prerequisites have to be fulfilled at the same time.

First of all, when the web is introduced into the treatment liquid andit banks up into a multiple sheet thickness, the formation of lastingstructural changes, such as loops, folds or zig-zag pleats must beprevented. The web must, however, pass through the treatmentirregularly, a curly or crimped shape, preferably in combination withconvective and turbulent currents acting through the treatment liquidonto the surface of the web so that all parts of the web surface aresubjected to shape-changing motions. Only when the web is introducedinto the treatment liquid in a crimped manner, with a constant directedchange of shape of all surface parts, will the uneven dye effect becomea completely uniform, and smooth dye effect in the application of theprocess to continuous dyeing be produced.

It is also necessary to maintain a desired ratio of the weights of thetreatment liquid to the textile web, of about 10:1 to about 50:1. Auniform distribution must be observed both as to the depth of the layerof the liquid and to the direction of travel of the treatment liquid.

In the process of the present invention for liquid treatments, e.g.chemicals, desirable results can be obtained when, in addition to theproper distribution of the textile web in the treatment liquid, and theshaping combined with the convective and turbulent current action of thetreatment liquid onto the web, that care is taken to provide treatmentover not only the entire width of the path, but also over the depth orthickness, now multiplied, of the liquid sheet.

A very important feature is the introduction of the web to be treated.According to the invention, the introduction is brought aboutirregularly, and the distribution of the web in the banked liquid duringthe common admission into the treatment may be carried outadvantageously over the entire width through funnelshaped enlarged portat the inlet adapted to the desired thickness of the liquid sheet ineach case. Adjustment takes place automatically with the enlarged portbeing completely filled with treatment liquid. In order to aid theintroduction of the web into the treatment liquid,

it is possible to use an additional quantity of treatment liquid of thesame composition, and the same physical characteristics as the treatmentliquid freshly admitted. The additional liquid circulates only in thezone of admission and the weight ratio of liquid to web isproportionately increased only at the admission zone.

In order to maintain the web in a constant shape: changing motion,mechanical or hydrodynamic means are provided to perform intermittentkneading or rolling movements on the web during the treatment. Duringthis action an even distribution of treatment liquid and textile webcorresponding to the desired weight ratio must be maintained or,restored if necessary.

Similar measures, such as equalizing the concentration of the treatmentliquid over the depth and thickness of the liquid should be combinedwith the equalization of the concentration of treatment agent over thewidth of the path traveled by the web. To secure equal concentrationsnear the edges of the web, partial quantities of treatment liquid takenfrom those regions should be added, preferably from both sides, to theliquid in the path of the web, such as from above and below when theliquid travels horizontally.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the sheet of the mixture oftreatment liquid and textile goods should be steadily or graduallyincreased, either from the start, or in the later course of the processas the concentration of the treatment agents decreases (or theirexhaustion increases). The speed of the flow should also be made todrop. This will shorten the entire process to provide an addedadvantage.

An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention may comprisea channel for the flow of the treatment liquid. The web is introducedand travels through in a crimped form. The channel is equipped withmeans for bringing about movements to change the shape of the web. Thechannel may have the same cross-section throughout the length oftreatment, but in preferred embodiments of the invention, thecrosssection of the channel may increase in the direction of the travelof the web and the flow of the treatment agents.

At the inlet of the channel, there is an enlarged intake to receive theweb at excess speed, to cause an irregular introduction of the web andthe treatment liquid hydrodynamically, and automatically. The treatmentliquid is conveyed into the channel at the start of the operation bydistributing means, circulating means and means for adding fresh liquid.These devices are arranged in front of the funnel-shaped channelenlargement and laterally of the web. In the funnel-shaped enlargement,hydrodynamically acting circulating devices may be arranged forimproving the admission of the liquid.

In order to cause shape-changing movements of the web, mechanicalimpellers have proved to be very effective, when provided with doublebearings for vertical and tilting movements. They may act on the liquidcausing a simultaneous movement with the web, or conveying orinfluencing the movement of the liquid. Instead of mechanical means,hydrodynamical impellers may, of course, be used.

In the accompanying drawings, an example of the apparatus according tothe invention is schematically illustrated. It should however beunderstood that many modifications of the device could be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements through the several views:

FIG. 1 shows the front part of an apparatus with a channel for receivingthe treatment liquid, where the cross-section of the channel remains thesame throughout;

FIG. 2 shows the rear part of the apparatus, in which the channel hasincreasing cross-sections;

FIG. 3 illustrates the travel of the web and the treatment liquid in asomewhat modified embodiment of the intake portion of the channel; and,

FIG. 4'shows a further embodiment having, at its inlet channel,anoverflow weir and a curved slide to accelerate the web.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus includes a housing 17 closed at the topin a conventional manner, and at the bottom, a channel 5 which serves toreceive a treatment liquid 2 and web 1. Rollers a guide the web on itstravel to channel 5, in cooperation with directionchanging rollers bwhich lead to an enlarged inlet port 15 that, in the example shown, isfunnel-shaped.

The treatment liquid is admitted through a tube 20 likewise at enlargedport 15 together with web 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the front part of thechannel has a uniform cross-section. The rear part illustrated in FIG. 2has an increasing cross-section in the direction of flow. As may be seenfrom the drawing, the web assumes a crimped shape from its entrance intofunnel 15, and traverses the entire channel length in a crimped shape toa point 30 near the outlet of the channel. There, it is taken up andstraightened by roller 0, and passes out of the apparatus over roller d.The treatment liquid.

leaves the channel by an escape tube 31.

Extending into the channel from above, mechanical impellers 11 and 21,respectively are provided for imparting the necessary movement to liquid2 and web 1 therein. The impellers are mounted in bearings 12 and 22,respectively, so as to be capable of a perpendicular as well as atilting movement, thereby enhancing the flow of the liquid and themovement of the crimped web. In order to bring about a kneading action,the impellers and the liquid may be made to move toward each other.Means to that end are conventional and have been omitted from thedrawing for the sake of clarity.

A further mixing system is shown in FIG. 1, which acts transversely. Itcomprises a number of stations partly arranged below, and above channel5 and communicative therewith, each of the lower units consisting of aU-shaped tube 13 with a heater 16, while the upper elements 14 aredesigned as overflow tubes. Pumps 25 circulate the hot water. It isdesirable to provide several such stations 13 and 14 distributed overthe length of channel 5, spacing them first at smaller, then at largerintervals from each other. When the treatment is carried out with anaqueous boiling liquid, which is frequently the case, space 18 below thehousing top is filled with steam.

FIG. 3 illustrates the intake portion of the channel in anotherembodiment. Also illustrated is the manner in which the liquid is guidedinto that portion. The funnelshaped inlet 35 is connected by small slotsor tubes 36 to a pipe 37, and over a circulating pump 27, which takes infresh liquid from a pipe 28 in regulated amounts delivered through avalve 29. Liquid is conveyed over a pipe 32 to both sides of enteringweb 1 as shown at port 10. if desired, a direction-changing element 19,which may operate hydrodynamically, is provided in a portion 31 of theadmission port.

In FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention wherebyweb 41 to be treated passes over input rollers e,f, g, h, and i, and isfed by drive rollers 43 into a curved, liquid slide 51 at the input ofthe bath. A weir 40 having a trough 44 permits treatment liquid frominput pipe 50 to flow over the crest of the weir and along curved slide51. The liquid enters treatment bath 42 as the web begins to curl. Theslide allows the web to travel at excess speed into the treatment bath.

The expression treatment of webs of textile and similar materials in hotliquids should be understood to include cleaning treatments. treatmentswith chemicals for improving and refining the materials, dyeingtreatments. de-sizing, boiling, bleaching, printing and finishingtreatments for textiles; also after-treatments of dyed and printedtextiles; treatment for development of bulk in textile webs, such astexturized fibers or yarns, or treatment in hot solvents for the removalof spinning oils, and the like. The irregular shape of the web meanscrimped or curly shape as contrasted to pleats, folds, loops and zigzagpleats which must be avoided.

Finally, treatment agents" refer to known agents which are conventional,such as, for example, dyeing and bleaching.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention are shown anddescribed, it is understood that many changes and modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the continuous treatment of a lightto medium-weightlaterally moving textile web in a hot treating liquid in which theliquid and the web travel in the same direction and at the same speedduring the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and the ratioof weight of liquid to web is between about l:l and 50:1, and the webafter its introduction moves at a speed greatly diminished from thespeed of its introduction, said apparatus comprising: an elongatedchannel for receiving and transmitting treating liquid and web, having areceiving end and a discharge end. and being provided at its receivingend with a funnel-shaped inlet portion to receive treating liquid andweb and closely surround the web, and having a substantially uniformcross-section between said receiving end and a portion preceding thedischarge end which portion has a progressively and uniformly increasingcross-section. means for introducing treating liquid into said channel;means for introducing said web into said channel in crimped form locatedin front of said funnel-shaped inlet portion;

mechanical or hydrodynamic impeller means for causing a change in shapeof the surface of said web located between the receiving and dischargeends of said channel; and

means for removing treated web and for removing used treating liquidfrom said apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes a housingprovding a treatment chamber of which said channel forms the bottomportion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further includes meanslocated adjacent said funnel-shaped inlet portion for causing thetreating liquid to pass therethrough at a higher speed than the rate offlow of said liquid through the length of said channel.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes meanslocated at selected positions along said channel for introducing anddistributing and heating treating liquid and applying said liquid toboth sides of the web.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising double bearingscoupled to said impellers to permit vertical as well as tiltingmovements thereof, thereby enhancing the flow of the liquid and themovement of the web.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said web receivingchannel additionally comprises an overflow weir extending over theentire width of the webs, and a curved inclined slide mounted adjacentto said weir to permit the treatment liquid to flow over the weir andalong the apparatus to impart an excess speed of the treatment liquid inthe receiving portion of the channel.

1. An apparatus for the continuous treatment of a light- tomedium-weight laterally moving textile web in a hot treating liquid inwhich the liquid and the web travel in the same direction and at thesame speed during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, andthe ratio of weight of liquid to web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, andthe web after its introduction moves at a speed greatly diminished fromthe speed of its introduction, said apparatus comprising: an elongatedchannel for receiving and transmitting treating liquid and web, having areceiving end and a discharge end, and being provided at its receivingend with a funnel-shaped inlet portion to receive treating liquid andweb and closely surround the web, and having a substantially uniformcross-section between said receiving end and a portion preceding thedischarge end which portion has a progressively and uniformly increasingcross-section. means for introducing treating liquid into said channel;means for introducing said web into said channel in crimped form locatedin front of said funnel-shaped inlet portion; mechanical or hydrodynamicimpeller means for causing a change in shape of the surface of said weblocated between the receiving and discharge ends of said channel; andmeans for removing treated web and for removing used treating liquidfrom said apparatus.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 which furtherincludes a housing provding a treatment chamber of which said channelforms the bottom portion.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, whichfurther includes means located adjacent said funnel-shaped inlet portionfor causing the treating liquid to pass therethrough at a higher speedthan the rate of flow of said liquid through the length of said channel.4. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes meanslocated at selected positions along said channel for introducing anddistributing and heating treating liquid and applying said liquid toboth sides of the web.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprisingdouble bearings coupled to said impellers to permit vertical as well astilting movements thereof, thereby enhancing the flow of the liquid andthe movement of the web.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid web receiving channel additionally comprises an overflow weirextending over the entire width of the webs, and a curved inclined slidemounted adjacent to said weir to permit the treatment liquid to flowover the weir and along the apparatus to impart an excess speed of thetreatment liquid in the receiving portion of the channel.